State audit report slams Hawley campaign; senator’s team files complaint

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ & AP)

An audit says U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley used a state vehicle to travel to political events during his time as Missouri attorney general.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway released the audit Thursday. Her office found that Hawley has reimbursed some expenses after making campaign-related stops while using a state vehicle but he owes more.

Watch Galloway's announcement in the player below.

"At the request of the Republican Secretary of State, my office performed an in-depth audit, which confirmed media reports about the use of campaign consultants and a state vehicle by the office of the former Attorney General," Galloway said. "Campaign-paid political consultants from out of state advised staff in the Attorney General's Office. Additionally, then-Attorney General Hawley used a state vehicle and state employee for trips that were partly political or appeared personal."

The audit also found that there is an appearance of impropriety but no evidence that laws were broken in work that Hawley's campaign consultants did with attorney general staffers.

The full audit report can be viewed by following this link.

Nearly one year ago, Ashcroft sent a letter to Galloway's office saying his investigation found no evidence of wrong-doing.

The Hawley campaign submitted a complaint against Galloway to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy, claiming she breached the boards policy in the audit process through conflicts of interest.